Reference no: EM133867326
Working Across Cultures
Assessment - Case Study
Learning outcome 1: Evaluate how different country environments impact organisational operational considerations.
Learning outcome 2: Address complex issues and conflicts in culturally diverse contexts.
Learning outcome 3: Demonstrate effective communication, interpersonal and relationship management skills in cross-cultural settings.
Preparation
Before starting this assignment, you should meet as a group and agree upon how you will work together on this assignment
Assignment instructions
In groups of 3 to five members, you are required to analyse a case through a cultural dimensions lens. Different cases will be provided to groups in the third week of semester, once your group is formed. You will present your analysis in the form of a discussion, in class (for on-campus students, and in a synchronous online session for online students), in weeks 5-13 of the semester.
The presentation and discussion of the case study should take no more than 10 minutes. It is expected that this would include 5 minutes of structured presentation (approximately 1 minute per member), followed by a group deliberation on possible solutions to the case.
Task:
The potential for the USA to place 25% tariffs on all imports is a source of great consternation, particularly for long term US allies - Canada, Mexico and Australia. Your task is to provide an analysis of the cultural dimensions of these 4 countries, and deliberate on why this issue is creating significant consternation between these so called 'friendly' countries. After providing an analysis of each of the countries and cultures at play, offer recommendations on how countries can overcome tensions, mitigate the potential losses, and maximise potential opportunities (i.e. present a position on what each party should do to make the most of the situation).
Case 1 - gender equality (France, Spain, Australia)
The international community has committed to achieving gender equality by 2030 but according to the UN the world is not on track to achieve this commitment. France and Spain are showing strong commitment to gender equality, although Spain's commitment has been questioned due to the highly publicised and unwelcome kiss Spanish Football Federation boss Luis Rubiales gave to Jenni Hermoso on the World Cup winner's podium in Sydney as tens of millions watched on live TV. In Australia, the Workplace Gender Equality Agency National Snapshot 2023-24 shows that on one indicator, gender pay gap, there is still a long way to go with a 21.8% pay gap reported during that period. Your task is to provide an analysis of the cultural dimensions of these 3 countries and deliberate on the rate of gender equality progress. After providing an analysis of each of the countries and cultures at play, offer recommendations on how these countries can make meaningful progress.
Case 2 - Social media and fake news (USA, Australia plus one EU country)
Following the recent inauguration of Donald Trump as President of the USA, Facebook's founder, Mark Zuckerberg announced "starting in the US, independent factcheckers would be replaced in the US by a system of "community notes" similar to that used on X, Elon Musk's social media platform, which relies on users to add caveats and context to contentious posts". This removal of fact checking, increases concerns already raised about social media and fake news which became prominent after the 2016 US presidential election. The EU has led the world in erecting a sophisticated and comprehensive regulatory framework for globe-spanning digital platforms like Meta and Google, anchored by the Digital Services Act. Meanwhile, in Australia academics have advised that "while it's still too early to predict the exact outcome for Australian moderators and users of Meta's platforms, Australians should be concerned about this change". Your task is to select one EU country and provide an analysis of the cultural dimensions of these 3 countries (USA, Australia and selected EU country), and deliberate on cultural issues which could influence engagement with social media and fake news. After providing an analysis of each of the countries and cultures at play, offer recommendations as to how these countries can counter the damaging effects of social media and fake news.
Case 3 - Move away from major political parties
Independent candidates for the 2025 Australian Federal election are receiving strong financial support from Australians in a continued move away from the major political parties. This trend is not isolated to Australia with the Pew Research Centre reporting identifying this phenomenon in many countries with "populist parties able to capitalize on voters' frustrations with elites - and the belief, shared by many, that establishment parties and leaders are out of touch with ordinary citizens. Sweden is "the only country surveyed where a majority (56%) of people believe that elected officials care what people like them think". In Argentina, Greece, Nigeria, Spain and the U.S., eight-in-ten or more say elected officials do not care about the opinions of people like them. Your task is to select one of these 5 countries (Argentina, Greece, Nigeria, Spain or the U.S) as well as Sweden and Australia and provide an analysis of the cultural dimensions of these 3 countries and deliberate on cultural issues which may be impacting on trust in elected officials. After providing an analysis of each of the countries and cultures at play, offer recommendations as to how political parties in these countries can help restore trust and salvage their reputation with citizens.
Case 4 - Conspiracy theorists (USA, Kenya, Denmark)
In mid-February 2025 Robert F. Kennedy Jr was confirmed as the secretary of the US Health and Human Services Department. This has been criticised as personifying "the bad-faith tactics of conspiracy theorists globally, "selling" the flawed premise that any assertion is valid until others prove it false". Research by the YouGov-Cambridge Globalism Project, covering more than 25,000 people across 24 countries, reveals the different attitudes towards conspiracy theories in different parts of the world. This research shows that in 2021, the conspiracy theory that was second on a list of average beliefs across all 24 countries was that Donald Trump conspired with the Russian government in 2016 to help him win the election. This belief was particularly strong in Kenya where 54% of people said this was definitely or probably true while only 32% of Kenyans surveyed answered in this way on average for 11 other conspiracy theories. Interestingly in Denmark the gap between these ratings was much higher with 39% of people believing the Trump 2016 conspiracy was definitely or probably true while only 7% answered in this way on average for 11 other conspiracy theories. Your task is to provide an analysis of the cultural dimensions of these 3 countries and deliberate on what might be driving levels of belief in conspiracy theories in each of these countries. After providing an analysis of each of the countries and cultures at play, offer recommendations on how leaders in these countries can help reduce the influence of conspiracy theories.
Case 5 - Fare evasion and the role of trust and public perception (Chile, Belgium, Australia)
To boost public transport use and ease cost of living pressures, the state of Queensland is trialing 50 cent fares on all public transport. Despite this low fare, thousands of commuters have been fined for fare evasion. It is apparent that this issue is not isolated to Queensland or Australia with an international study in Santiago Chile categorizing fare evaders into four groups which provide some insights into fare evasion motivations. To help prevent fare evasion, many countries impose fines and penalties with Brussels in Belgium having the highest penalties among 27 European capitals studied. Your task is to provide an analysis of the cultural dimensions of these 3 countries and deliberate on what might be driving levels of fare evasion in each of these countries. After providing an analysis of each of the countries and cultures at play, offer recommendations on how leaders in the public transport systems in these countries can help reduce the levels of fare evasion.
Case 6 - Strategic partnership agreements (New Zealand, Cook Islands, China)
The Pacific Islands country of Cook Islands has recently signed a strategic partnership agreement with China that covered areas of trade cooperation, climate, tourism, and infrastructure. The New Zealand Government has expressed concerns about this partnership agreement despite having collaborated in the past with China to jointly help the Cook Islands develop a major water supply project through a tripartite agreement. Your task is to provide an analysis of the cultural dimensions of these 3 countries and deliberate on what might leading to increased tensions between these countries. After providing an analysis of each of the countries and cultures at play, offer recommendations on how business leaders in these countries might use their cultural insights to create sustainable business opportunities which may arise because of the strategic partnership.
Case 7 - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) pushback (USA, UK, Australia)
Some of the first Executive Orders signed by President Donald Trump following his inauguration were aimed at rolling back DEI initiatives in the Federal Government and more broadly. While there are some signs of pushback in Australia too, there are many positive signs that the same degree of pushback is unlikely to occur or in the United Kingdom and that DEI will continue to contribute to creating more equitable workplaces and supporting organisational performance. Your task is to provide an analysis of the cultural dimensions of these 3 countries and deliberate on the key factors which might be influencing the levels of commitment to DEI in organisations in each country. After providing an analysis of each of the countries and cultures at play, offer recommendations on how organisational leaders in these countries can continue to create psychologically safer, more inclusive workplaces.
Case 8 - The tobacco epidemic (Australia, Greece, South Korea)
The World Health Organization maintains that "the tobacco epidemic is one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever faced, killing over 8 million people a year around the world". In Australia, changing public attitudes are evidence of the ‘denormalisation' of tobacco use. One European study showed Greece continues to have more positive social norms towards smoking and high (by European standard) smoking levels. Asian countries are said to be in the early stages of this tobacco smoking epidemic with South Korea having one of the highest rates of smoking among males aged ≥15 years. Your task is to provide an analysis of the cultural dimensions of these 3 countries and deliberate on the key factors which might be influencing smoking rates in each country. After providing an analysis of each of the countries and cultures at play, offer recommendations as to how governments and health sector leaders in these countries can help with the denormalisation of tobacco use. Get online assignment help now!
Case 9 - Plastic straws and other single use plastics (Canada, Australia, Kenya)
US President Donald Trump recently announced the return of plastic straws. This action is dismissive of the significant problem plastic straws and other single use plastics pose to health, our oceans and the environment more broadly. At least 175 of 195 countries in the word are acting in some way to reduce plastic waste. Canada is one country which has introduced Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) along with plastic bag regulations and Deposit Return Systems (DRS). Similarly different Australian states have banned certain types of single use plastics and introduced DRS. The African continent is leading the way with regulating plastic bags, with different approaches in different countries. Kenya is one of several African countries to have banned thin plastic bags. Your task is to provide an analysis of the cultural dimensions of these 3 countries and deliberate on the key factors which might be influencing single use plastic use. After providing an analysis of each of the countries and cultures at play, offer recommendations as to how governments and community leaders in these countries can help encourage citizens to reduce their use of straws and other single use plastics.
Case 10 - International partnerships in the construction sector (China, South Korea, Vietnam)
In the construction industry, international partnerships are becoming popular as a key strategy for companies looking to expand their reach and capitalise on global opportunities. Such partnerships offer opportunities for companies to grow their capabilities, gain access to new markets, and share the risks and rewards associated with major construction projects. One such partnership is that between Chinese company Hithium, which provides energy storage solutions and Samsung C&T Engineering & Construction Group, a giant South Korean construction company with expertise in large-scale projects. Vietnam is predicted to be one of the fastest growing national construction markets by 2050 with much of this activity anticipated to be undertaken through foreign partnerships with South Korean and Chinese companies active in this market. Your task is to provide an analysis of the cultural dimensions of these 3 countries and deliberate on the key factors which might be supportive of entering foreign partnerships. After providing an analysis of each of the countries and cultures at play, offer recommendations as to how governments and business leaders in these countries can facilitate the development of such partnerships to assist in achieving the benefits and opportunities such partnerships offer.